Spanish Government set to drop age law for pro-contracts

[Mosiah]

Spanish Government set to drop age law for pro-contracts

Published on Friday, 26 April 2013 14:25
By Gareth Messenger
April 26 – Spanish government officials are looking changing the law which states that a footballer has to turn 18 before his club offers him a professional contract.

The law change would bring the Spanish into line with a number of other countries and would protect clubs' financial investment in the development of youth players. Spanish clubs have suffered a drain of some of their best young talent to foreign clubs.

In England, for example, footballers receive professional contracts at the age of 16 which has helped them sign many Spanish youngsters in the past.

One example is former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas (pictured) who left Barcelona for London in 2003 at the age of 16. At the time, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell expressed the club's displeasure over the transfer, calling it "legal but a little immoral".

Barcelona complained to FIFA about the departure of one of their most exciting talents, but were unsuccessful in stopping the move despite Arsenal paying a £700,000 fee in compensation.

Another player to depart the Camp Nou in recent years is Jon Miquel Toral Harper in 2011. The then-16 year old was free to sign a pro-deal with the London club because Spanish clubs cannot offer their players a contract until they turn 17, although Arsenal did pay £300,000.

Rosell again complained, and confronted Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis about the approach for the Spaniard. Fran Merida was another who also moved to Arsenal from the Barcelona academy when just a teenager.

The existing law mean Spanish clubs run the risk of missing out on major transfer fees for players regarded as future talents. The new law reportedly states that, starting from 2014, Spanish clubs could offer professional contracts to their players once they turn 14.

[Rockman]

I think the current law in Spain should be universal or at least players from there should be exempted from... because the laws of the player country should take precedent unless there is an international law.
On the other side of the coin though you have the internationally denounced child labour, youngsters are being exploited.Upon reaching 18, Sterling was finally able to get paid at market value for the same thing he was doing the previous year.

[Mosiah]

Talking about Sterling, where has he been recently? Can't see him on the football field!?

[Jangle]

Is it too late for him to switch back to us? Because he will never be a regular for the Three Lions. There are just too many wingers ahead of him.

[Rockman]

I spoke to one of Sterling uncles a couple months ago(felt he was the brother of Sterling mother because his response to my queries about Sterling father was apathetic),and judging from that conversation there is NO chance of Sterling switching sides.The family(except his mother)is perfectly fine with Sterling choice.

[Dunny]

Talking about Sterling, where has he been recently? Can't see him on the football field!?

Stirling is out with a thigh injury.

[Karl]

Poor FIFA with its ridiculous attempts to hold out as being more powerful that nations.

Aside: Watch the ride on "Jack", "Chuck" and the biggest prize of all, Stepp Blatter!!!

[Karl]

I think the current law in Spain should be universal or at least players from there should be exempted from... because the laws of the player country should take precedent unless there is an international law.
On the other side of the coin though you have the internationally denounced child labour, youngsters are being exploited.Upon reaching 18, Sterling was finally able to get paid at market value for the same thing he was doing the previous year.

So the reasoning goes this way: Do not exploit them! No labour under ... age!

...and do not exploit them compensate them at market value!

Makes sense...doesn't it?

[Mosiah]

Thanks!